Portugal CTT tracking

Portuguese postal service since 1520

Portugal CTT, officially named CTT (Correios de Portugal, is the national postal operator of Portugal. Founded in 1520 under the reign of King Manuel I, it is one of the oldest postal services in the world and the oldest company still in operation in Portugal. Over five centuries of existence, Portugal CTT has played a central role in the country's communications, ensuring the delivery of mail and parcels throughout the Portuguese territory.

Initially a state administration, Portugal CTT now operates as a fully private joint-stock company (its complete privatization was finalized in 2014). Despite this private status, the company remains entrusted with the mission of universal postal public service, guaranteeing mail distribution across the entire national territory. The acronym CTT comes from the former name Correios, Telégrafos e Telefones, a legacy from a time when the postal operator also managed telegraphy and telephony services. With a dense network of post offices and contact points across the country, Portugal CTT offers a full range of services from mail and parcel delivery to financial and logistics services.

History of Portugal CTT

The origins of Portugal CTT date back to the 16th century. In 1520, King Manuel I created the country's first public postal service, called Correio Público. This initial service, operated by royal couriers, laid the foundations for the Portuguese post for centuries to come. During the early years, mail delivery was mainly carried out on horseback, via a network of relay stations and strategically located post offices across the territory. The mission of Portugal CTT at its inception was to effectively connect the different regions of Portugal, but also to maintain communications with the overseas Portuguese colonies, thus contributing to the administration of the Portuguese Empire.

Over time, Portugal CTT has continuously evolved and modernized to adapt to technological advances. In the 19th century, the introduction of steam-powered transportation (railways and ships) accelerated mail delivery and extended the reach of the postal service. In parallel, the adoption of new communication technologies transformed postal services: the telegraph, then the telephone, were integrated into the postal administration. These developments led to the merger of posts and telegraphs at the end of the 19th century, with the organization then taking the name of Postes, Télégraphes et Téléphones (hence the acronym CTT retained since then).

In the 20th century, Portugal CTT continued its modernization. In 1969, the company obtained the status of a public company under the name CTT) Correios e Telecomunicações de Portugal, bringing together postal and telecommunications services. This configuration lasted until the end of the century: in 1992, as part of a sector reorganization, telecommunications activities were separated from CTT to form a distinct entity (leading to the creation of Telecom Portugal, later integrated into Portugal Telecom). From then on, CTT refocused on its core postal business. In 1991, the operator was transformed into a joint-stock company with public capital, a prelude to its opening to the financial market.

At the beginning of the 21st century, Portugal CTT had to face the liberalization of the postal sector in Europe and the decline in traditional mail volumes. The Portuguese state, faced with economic imperatives, decided to open CTT's capital. A partial stock market listing was carried out in 2013, followed in 2014 by the sale of the company's remaining public shares. Following this two-step privatization, CTT became a 100% private company, listed on the Euronext Lisbon market, while retaining the concession of the universal postal service in Portugal.

In recent years, Portugal CTT has undertaken to diversify its activities to adapt to the digital age and new needs. In 2016, the group launched its own bank, Banco CTT, offering financial services to the general public (an example of the diversification of modern posts similar to other European postal operators. The year 2020 marked a historic milestone for the company with the celebration of its 500th anniversary, highlighting its exceptional heritage. Today, with its centuries-old experience, Portugal CTT continues to evolve by integrating digital solutions and developing new services to remain a key player in communication and logistics in Portugal.

Shipping services and delivery times

As a universal postal provider, Portugal CTT offers a wide range of shipping services to meet the varied needs of individuals and businesses. Delivery offers cover both mail, documents, and parcels, with options adapted according to the urgency and nature of the shipment. In general, domestic shipments in Portugal are carried out in very short times: standard mail arrives in a few working days, while express options allow for next-day delivery in most cases. For international shipments, delivery times are more variable and depend on the destination and the selected service. An overseas shipment can thus take from a few days (for nearby destinations or via an express service) to several weeks (for distant destinations or in economic service), taking into account possible customs procedures and intercontinental transport.

Portugal CTT offers its shipping services in several categories to adapt to the requirements of each shipment. Among the main services offered:

• Standard mail: Basic service for sending letters, documents, or small parcels within Portugal. It is the most economical option for non-urgent shipments, with delivery in standard times.
• Priority and express mail: Intended for urgent or time-sensitive shipments, this service ensures accelerated delivery. Priority mail (for example, the Correio Azul service for fast national mail) and express parcels are treated as a priority and delivered in the shortest times (often the next working day). These shipments generally benefit from detailed tracking and proof of delivery.
• Registered mail: This service adds extra security to the shipment by providing proof of deposit and delivery as well as a tracking number. Registered mail is used for valuable items or important documents, as it guarantees delivery against the recipient's signature or a notice of passage in case of absence.
• International services: Portugal CTT facilitates worldwide shipping through adapted solutions. For the European Union , mail and parcels are generally shipped via the standard postal network (with reciprocity agreements between national posts). For non-EU destinations, CTT offers either a standard international postal shipment (airmail) or international express courier services for faster delivery. Each international option has different indicative times and may involve customs processing in the destination country.

Shipping rates with Portugal CTT are established based on several factors: the weight and dimensions of the mail or parcel, the destination (local, national, or international), and the chosen service level. Additional options, such as ad valorem insurance, express handling, or cash on delivery, may incur additional fees. Portugal CTT regularly publishes an updated rate schedule, and it is advisable to refer to official information to know the current rates before sending an item. In general, sending internal mail within Portugal remains economical, while international shipments, more expensive, reflect longer distances and associated logistics services.

Group organization and diversified services

Beyond its traditional postal mission, Portugal CTT is structured into different operational units and subsidiaries, each specializing in a service area. This organization by business units allows the group to cover the entire value chain of communications and logistics, as well as to offer complementary services. The main components of the CTT group include:

• Mail and parcel services (CTT Correios): CTT ensures the collection, sorting, transport, and distribution of mail and parcels both domestically and internationally. This historical core business includes the classic postal network (ordinary mail, press, standard parcels) and guarantees the reliability and speed of sending letters and packages to individuals and businesses.
• Express and logistics services (CTT Expresso): The group offers accelerated delivery and advanced logistics solutions through its CTT Expresso branch. This service manages urgent shipments with real-time tracking, guaranteed time deliveries, and handles logistics services for professional clients (supply chain management, warehousing, order preparation, etc.). CTT Expresso operates not only in Portugal but also internationally: for example, the group is present in Spain through its subsidiary CTT Express (resulting from the acquisition of Tourline Express), thus strengthening its capacity to handle fast shipments on the Iberian Peninsula.
• Financial services (Banco CTT and Payshop): Portugal CTT is also active in the financial sector. Since the launch of Banco CTT in 2016, the company offers retail banking services (current and savings accounts, credit cards, loans, etc.) and insurance products in its post offices. In parallel, through its subsidiary Payshop , CTT provides a bill payment and money transfer service, offering a convenient solution for paying public services, purchasing phone credit, or sending money nationally and internationally. This financial diversification, similar to that of many European posts, aims to use the postal network to provide community added value and compensate for the decline in traditional mail volumes.
• E-commerce solutions: Aware of the rise of e-commerce, the CTT group has developed services specifically dedicated to online sales players. These solutions encompass integrated logistics for merchant sites: warehousing of goods, inventory management, order processing, e-commerce parcel delivery, and returns management. CTT offers businesses personalized services to optimize their supply chain, with, for example, platforms dedicated to mass shipping, integration of information systems for order tracking, and a network of relay points or automatic lockers facilitating delivery to end customers.
• Other subsidiaries and specialized services: The group also includes more targeted entities, such as Mailtec (specialized in document management solutions and industrial mail automation), PostContacto (distribution of unaddressed mail and direct mail) or even philatelic services for stamp collectors. Each of these activities complements CTT's overall offer by covering specific needs of individual, professional, or institutional clients.

Logistics network and international partnerships

Portugal CTT relies on an extensive logistics network to efficiently transport shipments from the point of origin to the final destination. Nationally, the operator has regional sorting and forwarding centers, as well as a dense network of post offices and partner points in all areas of the country, including the autonomous regions of the Azores and Madeira. Mail and parcels are generally collected locally and then transported to central operational centers (notably around Lisbon and Porto) where they are sorted automatically before being distributed to local distribution centers close to the recipients. CTT's logistics fleet includes trucks and utility vehicles for land transport, as well as air links to serve remote or island destinations and to ship mail internationally.

On the international scene, Portugal CTT maintains numerous partnerships to ensure the continuity of postal service beyond borders. As a member of the Universal Postal Union (UPU), CTT cooperates with foreign posts for the exchange of international mail, with each operator taking charge of final distribution in its country. For example, a parcel sent from Lisbon to New York will be handled by USPS upon arrival in the United States, while a letter sent to Japan transits through Japan Post once there. In addition to the multilateral postal network, CTT collaborates with private carriers and courier companies for certain specific services or destinations where local expertise is required. This approach allows Portuguese customers to send shipments to almost any country, with reliable tracking and delivery solutions provided via appropriate postal correspondents or logistics partners.

CTT's partnerships also extend to the field of global e-commerce logistics. The group has entered into agreements with major e-commerce platforms and international carriers to facilitate the import and export of parcels. For example, CTT can ensure the last-mile delivery of orders placed on foreign sites by receiving shipments from global carriers, or conversely, handle the export of parcels sent from Portugal by transferring them to international distribution networks. Thanks to this global network, Portugal CTT guarantees efficient and secure cross-border transport, allowing Portuguese individuals and businesses to connect with customers and suppliers around the world.

Shipment tracking system

Like any modern carrier, Portugal CTT offers an online tracking service for most of its shipments. Each parcel or registered letter is assigned a unique tracking number, which allows the sender and recipient to check the delivery status in real-time. The classic format of a CTT tracking number includes 13 characters: it starts with two letters (identifying the type of shipment, for example, RR for a registered letter or CP for a priority parcel), followed by nine digits (including an internal control digit), and ends with two letters corresponding to the country of origin: in this case, PT for Portugal. For example, a typical tracking number could be RR123456789PT. This format complies with international postal standards, allowing interoperable tracking of shipments when they transit to or from abroad. Note that in some specific cases, particularly for shipments handled in Spain via the CTT Express subsidiary, the tracking code may adopt a different format (for example, a purely numeric sequence of 22 digits).

CTT shipment tracking provides information on each important stage of the parcel or mail journey. As soon as it is taken over, a first update indicates that the item has been accepted into the network. Then, successive statuses signal progress: departure from the origin sorting center, arrival at an intermediate center or in the destination country, delivery in progress, etc. If customs formalities are necessary (for international parcels outside the EU), specific statuses inform about the progress of customs clearance. Finally, effective delivery is confirmed by a distribution status to the recipient. In case of unforeseen events (such as an unsuccessful delivery attempt or a delay), the CTT tracking system also provides clear notifications. Customers can follow these statuses via the CTT website or mobile app by entering their tracking number, and even activate notifications to be alerted of updates. The transparency provided by online tracking is an integral part of Portugal CTT's commitment to secure and controlled delivery.

Comparison with other national posts

Portugal CTT shares many similarities with other historical postal operators in Europe, while presenting some notable particularities. Like most of its counterparts (for example, La Poste in France, Correos in Spain, or Poste Italiane in Italy), CTT has had to adapt to sector changes: digitization of services, diversification into new activities (financial services, parcel logistics related to e-commerce), and modernization of its network to gain efficiency. Like these national posts, CTT benefits from a large capital of trust among the population and a solidly anchored brand image, inherited from its role as a local public service.

However, Portugal CTT stands out in several aspects. On the one hand, its current status as a fully private company differentiates it from the posts of countries like France or Italy, where the state remains a majority or significant shareholder. The complete privatization of CTT, completed in 2014, echoes the case of Royal Mail in the United Kingdom, and implies for the Portuguese operator to combine universal service obligations with the requirements of a publicly traded company. On the other hand, CTT's centuries-old history makes it a unique entity: few postal services in the world can claim a continuity of activity over 500 years. This historical heritage is notably reflected in the company's logo, which represents a postman on horseback sounding the trumpet - a direct reference to the horseback messengers of the early days of mail.

In terms of offering, CTT has been able to innovate to meet the specific needs of the Portuguese market. For example, the opening of Banco CTT has allowed the operator to play a role in banking inclusion, similar to other posts offering financial services, while its presence in the Iberian Peninsula via CTT Express gives it a regional scope. By comparison, some posts in neighboring countries have focused on partnerships rather than direct foreign establishments. Each national postal operator evolves in a different context, but the case of Portugal CTT illustrates the ability of a medium-sized postal service to combine historical heritage, strategic adaptation, and diversification, in order to remain competitive and relevant in the contemporary era.

Shipment tracking statuses at Portugal CTT